2018 FIFA World Cup
Japan team members warm up during an official training session at the National Stadium in Tokyo Sunday, June 5, 2022. Japan national soccer team will play a friendly soccer match against Brazil on June 6. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Brazil faces Japan in friendly with lesser focus on Neymar

By Stephen Wade Jun. 05, 2022 06:50 AM EDT

A screen shows support to Ukraine before the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park in Liverpool, England, Feb. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Russia ready again for urgent court case over World Cup ban

By Graham Dunbar Mar. 04, 2022 12:40 AM EST

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, greets Argentina's Angel Di Maria at the award ceremony after his team won 1-0 against Brazil in the Copa America final soccer match at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, July 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Every year could soon have World Cup on Infantino's travels

By Rob Harris Aug. 05, 2021 10:01 AM EDT

Clash with European season creates Olympic soccer headache

By Rob Harris Jul. 03, 2021 09:23 AM EDT
Often the event that connects an Olympic host city with the rest of the nation, soccer could be a source of trepidation rather than excitement in Japan. ...

The Czech Republic squad take part in a team training session at Wembley stadium in London, Monday, June 21, 2021, the day before the Euro 2020 soccer championship group D match between England and Czech Republic. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, Pool)
The Latest: Croatia advances, beats Scotland 3-1

By The Associated Press Jun. 22, 2021 03:03 PM EDT

FILE - In this file photo dated Saturday June 15, 1996, Scotland's Gordan Durie, right, pulls back England's Gary Neville during their Group A soccer match at the European Soccer Championships at London's Wembley Stadium. The Scottish men last qualified for a European Championship in 1996 but didn’t advance from the group stage after losing to England at Wembley. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, FILE)
England-Scotland: Rivalry that started international soccer

By Rob Harris Jun. 16, 2021 01:06 PM EDT

The entrance path to Wembley stadium, ahead of the upcoming Euro 2020 soccer championship in London, Wednesday, June 9, 2021. The Euro 2020 kicks off on Friday June 11 when Italy face Turkey in Rome. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Virus threat, Europe's divisions hang over rescheduled Euros

By Rob Harris Jun. 10, 2021 10:29 AM EDT

Italy's Nicola Barella, center, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the international friendly soccer match between Italy and Czech Republic in Bologna, Italy, Friday, June 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
A year late, Italy and Turkey play opening game at Euro 2020

By Andrew Dampf Jun. 10, 2021 04:52 AM EDT

Portugal's Danilo Pereira, left, challenges for the ball with Spain's Sergio Busquets during the international friendly soccer match between Spain and Portugal at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain on Friday June 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Spain again has to weather a storm before a major tournament

By Tales Azzoni Jun. 07, 2021 09:06 AM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday, June 16, 2016 filer, Germany coach Joachim Loew looks from the sidelines during the Euro 2016 Group C soccer match between Germany and Poland at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, France. France won the last major international soccer tournament — the World Cup in 2018 — by defending compactly, hitting teams on the break with clinical finishing, and being effective at set pieces. What will the winning approach be at the European Championship?. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
EURO 2020: Pragmatism the key to success in pandemic soccer

By Steve Douglas Jun. 04, 2021 08:10 AM EDT

United States' Christian Pulisic (10) takes a shot on goal against Honduras goal keeper Luis López (22) during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League soccer semifinal Thursday, June 3, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Siebatcheu scores to lift US over Honduras in Nations League

Jun. 03, 2021 09:44 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, March 28, 2021 filer, Hungary coach Marco Rossi looks on during the World Cup 2022 Group I qualifying soccer match between San Marino and Hungary, at the Olympic Stadium in Serravalle, San Marino. (AP Photo/Marco Vasini, File)
EURO 2020: Hungary challenged by tough group and injury

By Eric Willemsen Jun. 02, 2021 06:41 AM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020 filer, Slovakia's Marek Hamsik looks to pass the ball during the Euro 2020 playoff semifinal soccer match between Northern Ireland and Slovakia at Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison, File)
EURO 2020: Slovakia again pins its hopes on Marek Hamšík

By Eric Willemsen Jun. 02, 2021 06:20 AM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday March 25, 2021 file photo, England's Phil Foden attempts to control the ball during the World Cup 2022 group I qualifying soccer match between England and San Marino at Wembley stadium in London. Exciting talents like Phil Foden, Joao Felix and Ferran Torres are among a host of young players set to play their first major international tournaments at Euro 2020. UEFA has expanded squads from 23 players to 26 and that could encourage coaches to take a chance on more up-and-comers.(Adrian Dennis/Pool Photo via AP, File)
EURO 2020: Phil Foden leads continent's young stars

By James Ellingworth Jun. 02, 2021 05:57 AM EDT

PSG's Neymar reacts at the end of the French League One soccer match between Brest and Paris Saint-Germain at the Stade Francis-Le Ble stadium in Brest, France, Sunday, May 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
South America restarts World Cup qualifying amid COVID rise

By Debora Rey Jun. 01, 2021 03:05 PM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday, March 25, 2021 filer, Italy's Ciro Immobile, right, competes for the ball with Northern Ireland's goalkeeper Bailey Peacock Farrell, bottom, during the World Cup 2022 qualifier group c soccer game between Italy and Northern Ireland at the Stadio Ennio Tardini in Parma, Italy. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP, File )
EURO 2020: Italy transformed after World Cup failure

By Andrew Dampf May. 31, 2021 08:57 AM EDT

Seattle Sounders forward Fredy Montero, center, works for the ball against San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Jackson Yueill (14) and midfielder Shea Salinas during the second half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in San Jose, Calif. The Sounders won 1-0. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
MLS players gear up for busy summer of international duty

By Anne M. Peterson May. 27, 2021 07:36 PM EDT

FILE - In this Friday, June 8, 2018 file photo, Croatia squad pose ahead of a friendly soccer match between Croatia and Senegal in Osijek, Croatia. Delaying the European Championship by a year has helped out some teams and hurt others. England had more time to integrate talented young players and deepen its squad. Croatia's squad from its run to the World Cup final in 2018 is nearing the end and Ivan Rakitic has retired from international soccer. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, File)
Senegal vs Croatia 6/8/2018

May. 27, 2021 09:06 AM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, July 15, 2018 file photo, France's Paul Pogba, pulls on the arm of Croatia's Ivan Rakitic during the final match between France and Croatia at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia. Delaying the European Championship by a year has helped out some teams and hurt others. England had more time to integrate talented young players and deepen its squad. Croatia's squad from its run to the World Cup final in 2018 is nearing the end and Ivan Rakitic has retired from international soccer. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)
Croatia vs France 7/15/2018

May. 27, 2021 09:06 AM EDT

FILE - In this Friday, June 8, 2018 file photo, Croatia squad pose ahead of a friendly soccer match between Croatia and Senegal in Osijek, Croatia. Delaying the European Championship by a year has helped out some teams and hurt others. England had more time to integrate talented young players and deepen its squad. Croatia's squad from its run to the World Cup final in 2018 is nearing the end and Ivan Rakitic has retired from international soccer. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, File)
EURO 2020: Winners and losers from the 1-year delay

By James Ellingworth May. 27, 2021 09:05 AM EDT